6BC Botanical garden

'6' is for East 6th StreetWhere we are located, between Avenues B & C.

'B' for BotanicalWe call it a botanical garden because that's the traditional name for a garden where visitors come to learn about lots of plants from lots of places. Our garden includes hundreds of plants, native plants as well as many that were immigrants toNew York-- and that makes our garden a lot like our community.

'C' for Community6BC is first and foremost a community garden. East Villagers, all volunteers, started building it on a rubble-strewn empty lot in the early 1980s.

Since then, our garden's story, like our neighborhood's, has been one of constant challenge and change. Today, after a period in which 6BC's survival, like that of other New York community gardens, was threatened by the city's exploding development, our garden's land has been permanently set aside for public use as part of the New York City Parks system.

Even so, the garden is still completely cared for and run by community members, all volunteers. We are a Green Thumb garden, and we work with a variety of community garden coalitions and environmental groups to ensure the continued health of all community gardens--and a greener future for all of us.

Our members work hard to create a quiet, peaceful space where the community can enjoy nature by themselves or with families and friends, celebrate weddings, birthdays, and other special occasions, as well as gather for events of interest to the entire community. And ifyou like to grow things, come on over and join us! We are always looking for enthusiastic members andvolunteers. No prior experience necessary!

Everyone is welcome. We hope you will visit often. We invite you to join us and to support 6BC financially as well as with your time and talents.